TMS releases 2009 Australian Salary Report
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27 February 2010 – Collated against the backdrop of what has to date proven one of the toughest economic environment seen in years. TMS Asia-Pacific has this week released the results of its 2009 Australian Travel and Hospitality Industry Salary Report
TMS CEO Andrew Chan said one of the key finding of the fourth annual poll was the not so surprising fact that less than 50 per cent of the 600 respondents taking part in the exercise had seen an increase in salary over the past 12 months.
“In fact fewer than nine per cent of respondents earning a pay rise received anything greater than six per cent,” he said.
“And only 37.3 per cent actually received a bonus last year.”
Mr Chan said it was also interesting to note that while in 2008 more than 60 per cent of respondents had listed career progression as ‘very important’ that figure had now dropped back to just 27 per cent.
Salary, he said had increased in its importance with respondents aged 29-35 and 34-45 (90 per cent and 86 per cent, respectively) said that salary was ‘important’ or ‘very important’.
These figures can be compared to the 2008 figures which showed 71 per cent and 67 per cent for the respective demographs.
This he said could be explained by the fact those in tough financial times, people in the main tended to become more focused on ensuring employment and earning enough to make ends meet rather than worrying about career progression.
The turbulent 2009 has also had an effect on the Gen Y factor, one of the report’s more noticeable findings showing that fewer of the ‘Now Generation’ considered salary to be as important as in previous surveys.
“But the hunger is still there - more than 70- per cent of the Gen Y’ers responding still list career advancement as ‘important’ or ‘very important’.
“That result points to the fact that the younger generation these days is happy to accept a lower salary in order to get that first foot on the ladder,” he said.
The TMS report shows that average salaries in 2009 ranged from $220,000 for a CEO to $31,465 for a junior travel consultant.
Of the 57 different positions studied 28 achieved an average salary greater than $50,000.
Three positions - CEO, general manager and HR manager - commanded an average salary in excess of $100,000.
The highest individual salary was $420,000 earned by a company CEO while the lowest was $10,000 for a junior travel consultant.
The lowest average salary commanded by a management role was $43,000 for a front office manager role.
Mr Chan said the purpose of the company’s fourth annual report, as in previous years, was to be able to provide an overview on Australian industry trends on a year on year basis.
Conducted in November and December 2009, the TMS survey invited input from more than 6000 industry staffers with more than 600 industry staff responding.
These again ranged from frontline consultants and middle management through to managing directors and chief executive officers.
“The end benefits of these surveys are manifold,” Mr Chan said.
“In the first instance the survey allows organisations to ensure they are paying market rates thereby maintaining their competitive edge.
“The survey also reviews the link between salary and non-financial benefits and the impact on job satisfaction and retention levels.
“This is particularly relevant at this moment in time following a period when we have seen the regional market landscape changed dramatically.”
The report can be viewed online at www.tmsap.com.
-ENDS-
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